tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80476312140747468312024-03-06T01:52:24.053+10:00Manda's MovementsMandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.comBlogger543125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-84722146927033885552012-11-27T17:46:00.000+10:002012-11-27T17:46:05.749+10:00Manda's Movements has MovedDone the switch-a-roo to WordPress. Yeah, I haven't posted in a while but when I was ready to get going again on here, I found that there were so many bugs with the blog that I put it on the backburner. (Even now doing this has just crashed Firefox). Also this year has been the worst of my life, so as with most bloggers, it was time to move on.<br />
<br />
So in preparation for when I am actually ready to get this started again, I've made the move. You can find me on <a href="http://mandasmovements.wordpress.com/">mandasmovements.wordpress.com</a>. I'll be looking at getting going again in the new year, focussing more on travel and photography, still with some of the usual book and movie reviews but not as much as I haven't been into either of them lately. I'm taking off to Europe next April, making tentative plans to go backpacking (by myself!) through Europe a few months later, and I went to Hawaii back in July and doing a road trip down to Sydney in a couple weeks so I'm hoping to write a bit about these (especially the backpacking if it happens, fingers crossed!)<br />
<br />
So this is me signing off from Blogger for the last time and I hope to see you over at <a href="http://mandasmovements.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">WordPress</a> soon!Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-53590095429737867432012-04-14T18:56:00.000+10:002012-04-14T20:20:14.768+10:00A Year in Photos - Day 104<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgOepgl3WABD0yVlkgYO2hyphenhyphenfL_qdJUkmey-s3hjcNpUoHbd9IYg6F3jqU8ih0Qw1OQRzlYw-Z8wHSSfObMGMVFVdeZKPBtqHpTpk-l-rmItJwYeNNt1SrOdZmA8_Ri2VttTiaj7R7BQ91/s1600/Forgotten+Love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgOepgl3WABD0yVlkgYO2hyphenhyphenfL_qdJUkmey-s3hjcNpUoHbd9IYg6F3jqU8ih0Qw1OQRzlYw-Z8wHSSfObMGMVFVdeZKPBtqHpTpk-l-rmItJwYeNNt1SrOdZmA8_Ri2VttTiaj7R7BQ91/s640/Forgotten+Love.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A rose, forgotten from the night before, washes up on Burleigh Beach, Queensland.</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-64367675633600904492012-02-01T18:23:00.000+10:002012-02-01T18:23:16.192+10:00Waiting on Wednesday (49)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGivD32lVwCmzZOa5PO4FiRm3YYAA07TrECZNFxpv5FwRbUVjv3ZV9Y1jnicEJqFRJ-0g1GAXFQwuhgxSGkOJzXb1nYtMS45YArL6i_kvTmkdqMqAHMvvJ4GQ-XCLdXKT76IagqrA1Ir7/s1600/Once+Burned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGivD32lVwCmzZOa5PO4FiRm3YYAA07TrECZNFxpv5FwRbUVjv3ZV9Y1jnicEJqFRJ-0g1GAXFQwuhgxSGkOJzXb1nYtMS45YArL6i_kvTmkdqMqAHMvvJ4GQ-XCLdXKT76IagqrA1Ir7/s400/Once+Burned.jpg" width="233" /></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7039218-once-burned" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Night Prince, Book 1</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Publication Deets: June 26, 2012 by HarperCollins</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i></i><br />
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>She’s a mortal with dark powers...</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person’s darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude... until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world’s most infamous vampire...</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>He’s the Prince of Night...</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all — but whatever you do, don’t call him Dracula. Vlad’s ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him – a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.</i></div>
</blockquote>
So, yeah, I don't really care what is going on in this story. All that matters is that it's about Vlad, finally!! He's my most favourite character from Night Huntress (which a lot of people will agree with me on) so it's about time we get to learn more about Dracula. <br /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill on <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/">Breaking The Spine</a>.</span>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-40540685273844066922012-01-31T21:30:00.000+10:002012-01-31T21:30:08.704+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 31<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToh5bjfcJKjZoiWUe4YyoIYtTu7TclbjnxH_8zQHmtw24DrblA4NbMC_0nrTtAxpgs2YwjZv8yrEILJBSNo2ktJPyN0BmdkVM97zYmQb-dQtJNPCbpOag8nc7yDOmRr6MrChb4SXDxajc/s1600/DSC_9891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToh5bjfcJKjZoiWUe4YyoIYtTu7TclbjnxH_8zQHmtw24DrblA4NbMC_0nrTtAxpgs2YwjZv8yrEILJBSNo2ktJPyN0BmdkVM97zYmQb-dQtJNPCbpOag8nc7yDOmRr6MrChb4SXDxajc/s640/DSC_9891.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Woops I missed a day yesterday! The weather has been crap on a craptastic pile of crap lately so I've had to use a lot of pics from last year until I can get out again. Sorry to those that can't stand spiders but ones like this fascinate me. That's a fly he has there so they have their uses too. He got a bit camera shy the little fella.</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-13089036010717727692012-01-29T13:00:00.000+10:002012-01-29T13:00:02.653+10:00In My Mailbox (64)Looks like I've gone all adult this week! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8_ZU783WSf9R30j1RSe-fPddFJNdZS1GQLw788omz_H66vwHY6kEKkef2aCLVkDCwi1-HDAP2YUytz41ekMLgLF26KP29MgD6Od7-_F-ijo-H6HxyAAFGAMXPRR_tW4N5_1MBfsoEHgG/s1600/IMM+29.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8_ZU783WSf9R30j1RSe-fPddFJNdZS1GQLw788omz_H66vwHY6kEKkef2aCLVkDCwi1-HDAP2YUytz41ekMLgLF26KP29MgD6Od7-_F-ijo-H6HxyAAFGAMXPRR_tW4N5_1MBfsoEHgG/s640/IMM+29.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11049487-the-iron-duke" target="_blank">The Iron Duke (Iron Seas, Book 1)</a> by Meljean Brook<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12104686-firelight" target="_blank">Firelight (Darkest London, Book 1)</a> by Kristen Callihan<br />
<br />
NetGalley:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVS6RMZxzZKRozhv4ZR7oPcf1otW6VTbGrSYGrsK4K6eC8XZaK8NA8feMZeS1XMM3LAo71p0Aaj9j2H0tg9a91zbtPiISkKNReUq18saOoY0UHWUlBrWMBUEz0J2O1sgqK8FmYEY-loog/s1600/Royal+Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVS6RMZxzZKRozhv4ZR7oPcf1otW6VTbGrSYGrsK4K6eC8XZaK8NA8feMZeS1XMM3LAo71p0Aaj9j2H0tg9a91zbtPiISkKNReUq18saOoY0UHWUlBrWMBUEz0J2O1sgqK8FmYEY-loog/s320/Royal+Street.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12009478-royal-street" target="_blank">Royal Street (Sentinels of New Orleans, Book 1)</a> by Suzanne Johnson<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><span><i>In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/">The Story Siren</a>. Inspired by Alea of <a href="http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/">Pop Culture Junkie</a>.</i></span></span></span>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-18512486925438948392012-01-29T09:26:00.000+10:002012-01-29T09:26:11.997+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 29<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQGr8BUZHnxvBWS_caBdHIxisg1V55jdc71hRXpG9Nve4YgcWPE3mJ40uTFPGw-HZ3ddHD_SfWMVly0DkMkiOWgFxpnevbDC6nV0Lw9bpNQdBHzMhU3MNjuPSJotPkjtjDLwwe2ZbD7ac/s1600/DSC_1227a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQGr8BUZHnxvBWS_caBdHIxisg1V55jdc71hRXpG9Nve4YgcWPE3mJ40uTFPGw-HZ3ddHD_SfWMVly0DkMkiOWgFxpnevbDC6nV0Lw9bpNQdBHzMhU3MNjuPSJotPkjtjDLwwe2ZbD7ac/s640/DSC_1227a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Twice voted Australia's cleanest beach, Palm Beach is certainly not living up to it at the moment.</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-86608080179337200392012-01-28T22:30:00.000+10:002012-01-28T22:30:00.860+10:00Book Review: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzwcE7nZdUoMGQIgJGPCzeGxK7_sWAKuSNrP_NB7RlUD6ahWsQ1zKfZ80727reBq6vfUX3uZpD7OoBPIzB8Pqz7qBXw1b3KE8DDuCNuyBH2ImJSPuWoGnEZxnEDN3DHKs1zMu6z6KM2Ke/s1600/Between+Shades+of+Gray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzwcE7nZdUoMGQIgJGPCzeGxK7_sWAKuSNrP_NB7RlUD6ahWsQ1zKfZ80727reBq6vfUX3uZpD7OoBPIzB8Pqz7qBXw1b3KE8DDuCNuyBH2ImJSPuWoGnEZxnEDN3DHKs1zMu6z6KM2Ke/s320/Between+Shades+of+Gray.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<b>Title:</b> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10306821-between-shades-of-gray" target="_blank">Between Shades of Gray</a><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.rutasepetys.com/" target="_blank">Ruta Sepetys</a><br />
<b>Published:</b> March 22, 2011 by Puffin<br />
<a href="http://www.betweenshadesofgray.com/excerpt.php" target="_blank">Excerpt</a> <b> |</b> <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Between-Shades-Gray-Ruta-Sepetys/9780141335889/?a_aid=MsMs" target="_blank">Buy It Now</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>One night fifteen-year-old Lina, her mother and young brother are hauled from their home by Soviet guards, thrown into cattle cars and sent away. They are being deported to Siberia. </i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>An unimaginable and harrowing journey has begun. Lina doesn't know if she'll ever see her father or her friends again. But she refuses to give up hope.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>Lina hopes for her family.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>For her country.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>For her future.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>For love - first love, with the boy she barely knows but knows she does not want to lose . . .</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>Will hope keep Lina alive?</i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>Set in 1941, Between Shades of Gray is an extraordinary and haunting story based on first-hand family accounts and memories from survivors.</i></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><i>Stalin.</i></span> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/83144.The_Bronze_Horseman" target="_blank"><i>The Bronze Horseman</i></a> by Paullina Simons is one of my favourite books and this sounded like it was going to be just as heart-wrenching and moving. I was not disappointed. It did take me a little while to be drawn in as I was expecting things to be worse at the beginning. Once Lina started getting to know Andrius though, I became hooked and knew at some stage I would become a blubbering mess. I'm not sure about everyone else, but for me I only ever hear about how crazy and cruel Hitler is and nothing about Stalin. <i>Between Shades of Gray</i> gives you a look at how things were for people on the other sides of things.<br />
<br />
<i style="color: #b4a7d6;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">Pure Evil.</span></i> Set in World War 2, we are taken on a journey with a fifteen-year-old Lina who is forced from her home with her family and made to travel a third of the way around the world cramped into cars, trains and boats. People die from sickness, soldiers and even by their own hands just to escape the evil people who control their lives. Lina is incredibly strong throughout the entire novel. I can't say how I'd expect to act if put into her position but I can't imagine I would keep it together as she did.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sickening.</i></span> The cruelty she and her family experiences at the hands of the Russians is beyond comprehension. This has left me feeling extremely selfish for all the things in my life that I take for granted. Tears were resting in my eyes from the horror that man can inflict on others. And it sickens me that it wouldn't take too much for this sort of thing to happen in the world again. Life is short and you can never know what tomorrow will bring.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lasting Impression.</i></span> This novel have leave an impact on you in one way or another and will hopefully make you appreciate what you already have. When people say "things could always be worse", World War 2 is the definition of it.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>Rating:</b> ★★★★☆ I loved it!<br />
<br />
<b>First Lines:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>They took me in my nightgown. Thinking back, the signs were there—family photos burned in the fireplace, Mother sewing her best silver and jewelry into the lining of her coat late at night, and Papa not returning from work. My younger brother, Jonas, was asking questions. I asked questions, too, but perhaps I refused to acknowledge the signs. Only later did I realize that Mother and Father intended we escape. We did not escape. </i></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<b>Favourite Quote:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>I scanned the group. Faces spoke to their future. I saw courage, anger, fear, and confusion. Others were hopeless. They had already given up. Which was I? (Chapter 10)</i></div>
</blockquote>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-43112158971158713822012-01-28T22:00:00.000+10:002012-01-28T22:27:54.658+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 28<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXydRcNs_80YNX_pAzkuCOrghZwWC7YYkBhLicLnpZQYFAsaYnqfxS-E5v71Rt-5gA4E5kKHkc8Zkc9XsiUKdXSQKN2Qpto7UAGUd9beBOLJ7efa8ZzepMEmRxV52vnrpQpF9vzUlNwwK/s1600/DSC_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXydRcNs_80YNX_pAzkuCOrghZwWC7YYkBhLicLnpZQYFAsaYnqfxS-E5v71Rt-5gA4E5kKHkc8Zkc9XsiUKdXSQKN2Qpto7UAGUd9beBOLJ7efa8ZzepMEmRxV52vnrpQpF9vzUlNwwK/s640/DSC_1171.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This cicada had the most beautiful rainbow reflections through it's wings.</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-86882967098355581102012-01-27T22:00:00.000+10:002012-01-28T06:59:28.619+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 27<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Mbhd21Xcwwl_F0rNDWiFmhHFINfdONt4e7krKqzMZu0tReNRycd75RSaCcVo19FlCq1Id_pwNvoYyp32ipfaR8OT3J6RNs1kFVl91sUrLVpegl-hzNg_0mk5AWO9EKQxP8rZbPLK21PM/s1600/flood+driveway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Mbhd21Xcwwl_F0rNDWiFmhHFINfdONt4e7krKqzMZu0tReNRycd75RSaCcVo19FlCq1Id_pwNvoYyp32ipfaR8OT3J6RNs1kFVl91sUrLVpegl-hzNg_0mk5AWO9EKQxP8rZbPLK21PM/s640/flood+driveway.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzbYikTicHt-z2b3DAW7tVjf-wSWhLIw0E4uwxLEmpGFXg-ajNEw01Y-nWgtHY70YILtSnbFejaR2IB9isrZJ5eEK64zuhMXio7jIz2cTzc_bEz9v2ToTQM_eGUSNuYXP8aweiXGAajrB/s1600/flood+street.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzbYikTicHt-z2b3DAW7tVjf-wSWhLIw0E4uwxLEmpGFXg-ajNEw01Y-nWgtHY70YILtSnbFejaR2IB9isrZJ5eEK64zuhMXio7jIz2cTzc_bEz9v2ToTQM_eGUSNuYXP8aweiXGAajrB/s640/flood+street.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what I woke up to. The rain here has been crazy and while we got a day free on Australia Day, the torrential rain set in, in the early hours of the following morning. Personally, so long as no one's house goes under, I love floods. We live on a flood plain so the houses are built up and the flood will bring everyone out on to the street which normally never happens. This time though the water receded before most people woke up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***Sorry about the photo quality, took them with my iphone.***</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-1772447021455104362012-01-26T21:00:00.000+10:002012-01-26T21:08:20.503+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 26<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhNuwZ0_oE2YYZX9ZXF6eeEiC9fg907dAS9GuI-rX6t383X-6ATo-THQT8CD_C9C20nUZtJtZ20Cj5OhQLsopXIS6Sn5uSxZtDpQiGYPpPO-KAhbadmvlz_Zc_3eQxDbi-0JPn6qfQYzq/s1600/DSC_1269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhNuwZ0_oE2YYZX9ZXF6eeEiC9fg907dAS9GuI-rX6t383X-6ATo-THQT8CD_C9C20nUZtJtZ20Cj5OhQLsopXIS6Sn5uSxZtDpQiGYPpPO-KAhbadmvlz_Zc_3eQxDbi-0JPn6qfQYzq/s640/DSC_1269.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-50634771072552215932012-01-25T20:00:00.000+10:002012-01-25T20:00:08.743+10:00Waiting On Wednesday (47)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9JAPOgfdqDc_EP0uQTVeZZ7QBBeu1vcXXL3be2Gsv42nRNo01uEWGX-sTFE3MJzu5e_2xNrgCsSeZZNOCgl1hjXnpIy7-Ws_EV5jtI7ldFCtqHClGwle-naji8WKq5vvnpqeBGB0JwTd/s1600/Touching+The+Surface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9JAPOgfdqDc_EP0uQTVeZZ7QBBeu1vcXXL3be2Gsv42nRNo01uEWGX-sTFE3MJzu5e_2xNrgCsSeZZNOCgl1hjXnpIy7-Ws_EV5jtI7ldFCtqHClGwle-naji8WKq5vvnpqeBGB0JwTd/s400/Touching+The+Surface.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10560849-touching-the-surface" target="_blank">Touching The Surface</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">by Kimberly Sabatini</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Publication Deets:</b> September 4, 2012 by Simon Pulse</div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i><span id="freeText15059104770038072576">Life altering mistakes are meant to alter lives…
<br />
<br />When Elliot dies for the third time, she knows this is her last
shot. There are no fourth-timers in this afterlife, so one more chance
is all she has to get things right. But before she can move on to her
next life, Elliot will be forced to face her past and delve into the
painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s
hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.
<br />
<br />As she pieces together the mistakes of her past, Elliot must earn
the forgiveness of her best friend and reveal the truth about herself to
the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever.</span></i></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<span id="freeText15059104770038072576">Not only is this a paranormal novel, so therefore automatically making me interested, it also sounds like it will get it's readers thinking about the mistakes they've made and that it's ok to seek forgiveness, especially from themselves. Can't wait.</span><br />
<span id="freeText15059104770038072576"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
<span><span><i><span>Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill on <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Breaking The Spine</a>.</span></i></span></span></span>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-20025017431410469402012-01-25T19:30:00.000+10:002012-01-25T19:40:02.037+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 25<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaI4j_o_4biKSCbPQ9KzmBOFP2DVleDXRmtGV7uQkHIZNxNsag453OfwYvm1032TPPmF3b3iVckNUvMrEF49kIRNZmtjo9Ra8NuFMdoqrLNhbxMRl-IiIwgR-uCRDhX7K6ChKP3XPhTwoH/s1600/DSC_1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaI4j_o_4biKSCbPQ9KzmBOFP2DVleDXRmtGV7uQkHIZNxNsag453OfwYvm1032TPPmF3b3iVckNUvMrEF49kIRNZmtjo9Ra8NuFMdoqrLNhbxMRl-IiIwgR-uCRDhX7K6ChKP3XPhTwoH/s640/DSC_1254.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The area I live in has been pounded by rain since the weekend leading to big seas and flooding. The rain has stopped (for now!) and the beach is absolutely covered with debris. I took this about an hour ago at Palm Beach, QLD.</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-7889525907306452602012-01-24T22:30:00.000+10:002012-01-24T22:32:52.822+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 24<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidecfb4Y_L4oL9eaLeOayyY2nzrYnsgZwYL3WEfrCvuFP7BPeOqbgtqWVVWkgjHonkbxTADr-qikT0FNZMtilWPzQngPeoC9IM5WVOfUnkZS64VimH55e-befOAh5tjkjJxiEvftkk1Jj/s1600/DSC_4677a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidecfb4Y_L4oL9eaLeOayyY2nzrYnsgZwYL3WEfrCvuFP7BPeOqbgtqWVVWkgjHonkbxTADr-qikT0FNZMtilWPzQngPeoC9IM5WVOfUnkZS64VimH55e-befOAh5tjkjJxiEvftkk1Jj/s640/DSC_4677a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These sorts of things can make you think 'What's the point?'.</div>
<span id="goog_386038589"></span><span id="goog_386038590"></span>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-25358149588701550422012-01-24T13:45:00.000+10:002012-01-24T13:45:23.431+10:00Book Review: Pure by Julianna Baggott<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhrVsN7cx74nKZFv-kKgWlAjcGvBkQgw043N5O2QFnVZZkMycJy3jyeyTsC1RkcxzskGSmMljhsSonN_0EKjpCC_Yr02lzDZwyFgqJFsukCCHC-yiko28jt895x9ilR5W_f7nqIBuZ8po/s1600/Pure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhrVsN7cx74nKZFv-kKgWlAjcGvBkQgw043N5O2QFnVZZkMycJy3jyeyTsC1RkcxzskGSmMljhsSonN_0EKjpCC_Yr02lzDZwyFgqJFsukCCHC-yiko28jt895x9ilR5W_f7nqIBuZ8po/s320/Pure.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<b>Title:</b> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9680114-pure" target="_blank">Pure</a><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.juliannabaggott.com/" target="_blank">Julianna Baggott</a><br />
<b>Series:</b> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/series/53472-pure" target="_blank">Pure, Book 1</a><br />
<b>Publication Details:</b> February 8, 2012 by Grand Central Publishing<br />
<a href="http://pure-book.com/pure_by_julianna_baggott.pdf" target="_blank">Excerpt</a> <b> |</b> <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Pure-Julianna-Baggott/9781455503063/?a_aid=MsMs" target="_blank">Pre Order</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . . <br />Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.<br /><br />Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . . <br />There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her. <br /><br />When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.</i></div>
</blockquote>
<i style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Too Many POVs.</span></i> Reading the description above, I thought <i>Pure</i> would be an exciting adventure story told from Pressia's and Patridge's point of view. This is true except the story is missing the exciting part and is told from four POVs! I'm all for different POVs but four is really pushing it. Every time it switched to the two lesser characters, El Capitan and Lyda, the story lost momentum. I did really like El Capitan and honestly believe a story told just from his point of view would've been better but it didn't fit in smoothly with Pressia and Patridge's telling. Every time Lyda's name popped up on the top of the page I groaned internally and skimmed the pages. I didn't miss anything by doing that either.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Too Many Words.</i></span> <i>Pure</i> could've done with more vigorous editing to cut out large chunks of unnecessary narration. To put it simply, there were too many words! The idea behind <i>Pure</i> is very unique and intriguing, it's just that the execution was poor. This story should've taken half the pages it did. It's told in third-person, present-tense which is my least favourite narrative mode. Even though I've grilled this novel, I did kind of enjoy the last 100 pages when some parts of the story started coming together.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><i style="color: #b4a7d6;">Read The Excerpt.</i></span> I don't like giving bad reviews as it's each to their own when it comes to reading so I'll advise this: If you think you may like <i>Pure</i>, read the excerpt provided in the link at the top. The pace that's set in the first chapter stays that way throughout so it's a good indication of whether you'll like it or not. This book just wasn't for me.<br />
<br />
<b>Rating:</b> ★☆ Not for me<br />
<br />
<b>Will I Be Reading The Next Book?</b> Definitely not<br />
<br />
<b>First Lines:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>Pressie is lying in the cabinet. This is where she’ll sleep once she turns sixteen in two weeks—the tight press of blackened plywood pinching her shoulders, the muffled air, the stalled motes of ash. She’ll have to be good to survive this—good and quiet and, at night when OSR patrols the streets, hidden.</i></div>
</blockquote>
<b>Pure Series</b><br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9680114-pure" target="_blank">Pure</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9752754-fuse" target="_blank">Fuse </a>(out 2012)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9752790-the-new-after" target="_blank">The New After</a> (release TBA)</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><i>I received a galley of Pure from Grand Central through <a href="http://netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> for review. All
opinions expressed here are my own.</i></span> </span>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-46383497836222712892012-01-23T21:45:00.001+10:002012-01-23T21:45:48.653+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteMYSd68WXcjYNx7vK6Hw6SVl9jesdABMoyZK8f9gOzuv7FskUXHFg1Adb-O0xtfx2LYjY7ESVq83y1J13_uEXQtFo6KvBvVfAJLZWVOhffSupNHgev9wU5-Ax3QPCcGOaQUbCo4qt2Ny/s1600/DSC_9510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteMYSd68WXcjYNx7vK6Hw6SVl9jesdABMoyZK8f9gOzuv7FskUXHFg1Adb-O0xtfx2LYjY7ESVq83y1J13_uEXQtFo6KvBvVfAJLZWVOhffSupNHgev9wU5-Ax3QPCcGOaQUbCo4qt2Ny/s640/DSC_9510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Taken during an electrical storm
late last year. Whenever one hits we unplug everything, bring the dogs
inside and get the candles and lamps ready. I always get a little
excited with the pure energy I can feel in the air.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately
I haven't had a chance to really get out and take some new shots. I
damaged my hand on Saturday, spend Sunday at my dad's and today with my
granny for her birthday and now it's back to work tomorrow. Plus, the
weather has been terrible most of the weekend. Here's hoping for some
fine skies soon or at least some spare time!</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-51180455416525839662012-01-22T08:00:00.000+10:002012-01-22T08:00:02.687+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 22<div style="text-align: center;">
MELBOURNE THEMED WEEK</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGZQoZh7mDGw5I0RMwy-YjqDAw42QHXNKcUcsfr4vpl3-gPrYE5UPjmf5oclFSzxxO9gSzVO6cNBQnuiCC5TJsOgXR0LjB2qwT8YeG-Jos6NFLR9Yp0VLcLI92zZxQbc85oumxaOA4t39/s1600/DSC_5388a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGZQoZh7mDGw5I0RMwy-YjqDAw42QHXNKcUcsfr4vpl3-gPrYE5UPjmf5oclFSzxxO9gSzVO6cNBQnuiCC5TJsOgXR0LjB2qwT8YeG-Jos6NFLR9Yp0VLcLI92zZxQbc85oumxaOA4t39/s640/DSC_5388a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The walk along the Yarra River</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-47757627391644599022012-01-21T08:00:00.000+10:002012-01-21T08:00:02.375+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 21<div style="text-align: center;">
MELBOURNE THEMED WEEK</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthMMbrohqlu1sPIbKWsiG_F_jJMs17pAH3PeB4wbVXMRQMpljclzWbrBx4-3InsRDQ-JkSBwgGh9w5vVIwvILKhfw9Rpuz3u2GtVH93_CVKLafcjgLqcoUKsKvTS4PpRAZBgcgM077HyB/s1600/DSC_5194a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthMMbrohqlu1sPIbKWsiG_F_jJMs17pAH3PeB4wbVXMRQMpljclzWbrBx4-3InsRDQ-JkSBwgGh9w5vVIwvILKhfw9Rpuz3u2GtVH93_CVKLafcjgLqcoUKsKvTS4PpRAZBgcgM077HyB/s640/DSC_5194a.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Flinders Street Station through the window of my favourite Melbourne store, <a href="http://dangerfield.com.au/" target="_blank">Dangerfield</a>.</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-2482315567959523742012-01-20T08:00:00.000+10:002012-01-20T08:00:00.959+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 20<div style="text-align: center;">
MELBOURNE THEMED WEEK</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZm3UffX4UecGo3hMTmbInoukUudW5gS_n_7zdFLZy2k8g5ZwaBTYAf2asYvuGk94vKtBPiNUHS2fNC8HWJsudad0MOiWYNuG_x8M6rS9S_ticjr70cZdkIS6ae1hznIo3UG6VcikqRBHD/s1600/DSC_5257a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZm3UffX4UecGo3hMTmbInoukUudW5gS_n_7zdFLZy2k8g5ZwaBTYAf2asYvuGk94vKtBPiNUHS2fNC8HWJsudad0MOiWYNuG_x8M6rS9S_ticjr70cZdkIS6ae1hznIo3UG6VcikqRBHD/s640/DSC_5257a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Street lamp outside Parliament House Melbourne</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-27180331408997062342012-01-19T20:15:00.001+10:002012-01-19T20:28:02.416+10:00Book Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM-3lM_IM1aOv4eD5BvLgXPCh-F9hsEHiuo5Y-NjVlp0GyPMgHb-zuH41YXegaiz2NyhdzNUuNgJ2OsZJsUgLbkubV8b5p0y4c2OLPoV8TT9TkED8R1HknlxUwLI_bGPsUXrjzO0jD_4h/s1600/Half-Blood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM-3lM_IM1aOv4eD5BvLgXPCh-F9hsEHiuo5Y-NjVlp0GyPMgHb-zuH41YXegaiz2NyhdzNUuNgJ2OsZJsUgLbkubV8b5p0y4c2OLPoV8TT9TkED8R1HknlxUwLI_bGPsUXrjzO0jD_4h/s320/Half-Blood.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b>Title:</b> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9680718-half-blood" target="_blank">Half-Blood</a><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://jenniferarmentrout.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer L. Armentrout</a><br />
<b>Series:</b> <a href="http://www.jenniferarmentrout.com/covenant-series" target="_blank">Covenant, Book 1</a><br />
<b>Published:</b> October 18, 2011 by Spencer Hill Press<br />
<a href="http://www.bookscompleteme.com/2011/05/exclusive-excerpt-half-blood-by.html" target="_blank">Excerpt</a> <b> |</b> <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Half-Blood-Jennifer-Armentrout/9780983157205/?a_aid=MsMs" target="_blank">Buy Now</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. </i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. </i></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.</i></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><i>Why All The Fuss?</i></span> I was curious why all the bloggers were raving about this <i>Half-Blood</i> book which I'd never heard about outside book blogs and Goodreads. When I discovered there was a prequel, <a href="http://www.site.spencerhillpress.com/Daimon.php" target="_blank"><i>Daimon</i></a> (free download), I thought I'd give that whirl before buying the book. I loved it from the first word to the last and ordered <i>Half-Blood</i> straight away. The story carries on exactly where the prequel finishes off, right in the middle of Alex fighting for her life. Alex is one hell of a heroine, just like the kick-ass girls found in the best urban fantasy books.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Normal. Yet, Not.</i></span> She's caring but strong, witty but loving, determined but loyal. And while being all these things, she's still just a teenage girl who, despite having all the out-of-this-world stuff in her life, seems completely normal. Besides her, there's a mega-hunky boy who I adore, a supportive best friend (who isn't a conventional one as he's a guy), the life-long enemy and a seriously messed up family. There's also her destiny that she has to contend with. Armentrout approaches all of these from an original perspective and I love every one of her characters!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Read It!.</i></span> The only reason this lost half a star is because quite a few things reminded me of the Vampire Academy series. I won't go into it though because I don't want to give away anything and I don't want to bias anyone's opinions as I really did love this and believe it should be read by everyone. Armentrout knows exactly how a YA book should be written: with a steamy romance and a thrilling story to back it up. Read it!<br />
<br />
<b>Rating:</b> ★★★★☆ I loved it! <br />
<br />
<b>Will I Read the Next Book?</b> Yep, definitely. Going to pre-order it.<br />
<br />
<b>First Lines:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>My eyes snapped open as the freakish sixth sense kicked my fight or flight response into overdrive. The Georgia humidity and the dust covering the floor made it hard to breathe. Since I'd fled Miami, no place had been safe. This abandoned factory had proved no different. </i></div>
</blockquote>
<b>Favourite Quote:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>"I'd be super-pissed in the afterlife if I died a virgin in this craphole." (Alex, Page 2)</i></blockquote>
<b>Covenant Series</b><br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9680718-half-blood" target="_blank">Half-Blood</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9761771-pure" target="_blank">Pure</a> (out April 3, 2012)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9761778-deity" target="_blank">Deity</a> (out November 6, 2012)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9897164-apollyon" target="_blank">Apollyon</a> (out 2013)</li>
</ol>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-87482920127020020062012-01-19T08:00:00.000+10:002012-01-19T08:00:05.708+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 19<div style="text-align: center;">
MELBOURNE THEMED WEEK <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwaOwGXOQEOo0B_ZpC0uYqP5NPZX7C4LtPfYuzvxmg8Zd5yLn3X4e7k4PsVtWAmlUi-_NtYuD_a2dUI_n7vz2S9EGaHkz0DzjGxriVTXMd6ukc_Iy8L21JRrR1jBwb8UPZjautQYoDMST/s1600/DSC_5218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwaOwGXOQEOo0B_ZpC0uYqP5NPZX7C4LtPfYuzvxmg8Zd5yLn3X4e7k4PsVtWAmlUi-_NtYuD_a2dUI_n7vz2S9EGaHkz0DzjGxriVTXMd6ukc_Iy8L21JRrR1jBwb8UPZjautQYoDMST/s640/DSC_5218.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Buskers on Bourke Street</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-84612764382345888992012-01-18T08:00:00.000+10:002012-01-18T08:00:00.642+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 18<div style="text-align: center;">
MELBOURNE THEMED WEEK</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTWKqjgENDHJMMbDsPe4r-HGBiAAUAtsK6sCwwZV0eb32Jw9u5JnUy_YeMKvmUx0sQp6rlG0Xa88IFJWt0yf45iiEOLR3KSCnlzGuM-lrbxglJZ-6xYZ9AdA7bibyiQ5G3n3CycBMVndD/s1600/DSC_5441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifTWKqjgENDHJMMbDsPe4r-HGBiAAUAtsK6sCwwZV0eb32Jw9u5JnUy_YeMKvmUx0sQp6rlG0Xa88IFJWt0yf45iiEOLR3KSCnlzGuM-lrbxglJZ-6xYZ9AdA7bibyiQ5G3n3CycBMVndD/s640/DSC_5441.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Crown Casino fire display </div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-45191344399760431672012-01-17T08:00:00.000+10:002012-01-17T08:00:02.653+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 17<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
MELBOURNE THEMED WEEK</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFxAEt_p5DcRdGdtwBq4eWVRP6-x4AdJPUNhH0PEG1bryFP1zUyn8ORAglLSwjr2FCmYq_Adkz40yEdTbI7flci5hUSVbeEAmcIMM3Qtn0Zyz3JdeAtvPgMDk70NrydvLTLQNyo9PscH3/s1600/DSC_5186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFxAEt_p5DcRdGdtwBq4eWVRP6-x4AdJPUNhH0PEG1bryFP1zUyn8ORAglLSwjr2FCmYq_Adkz40yEdTbI7flci5hUSVbeEAmcIMM3Qtn0Zyz3JdeAtvPgMDk70NrydvLTLQNyo9PscH3/s640/DSC_5186.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
St. Paul's Cathedral</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-24037808783140416042012-01-16T17:00:00.000+10:002012-01-16T17:00:02.601+10:00Book Review: Halflings by Heather Burch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD6h3WHUXpOxkZYH5Mv1mCRWEJvM4EMZo_Ij-etMGnkMugw5ErCpcJsuasmSCeZ4u5UupEl_900OlaWYTxqYMm4dqKzkMM1m5hdXX6ko66_Ar-vxQVASMXJj0v8BNCWmuZHKXVfMXkQwx/s1600/Halflings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQD6h3WHUXpOxkZYH5Mv1mCRWEJvM4EMZo_Ij-etMGnkMugw5ErCpcJsuasmSCeZ4u5UupEl_900OlaWYTxqYMm4dqKzkMM1m5hdXX6ko66_Ar-vxQVASMXJj0v8BNCWmuZHKXVfMXkQwx/s320/Halflings.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<b>Title:</b> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12466776-halflings" target="_blank">Halflings</a><br />
<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://www.heatherburchbooks.com/" target="_blank">Heather Burch</a><br />
<b>Series:</b> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/series/70785-halflings" target="_blank">Halflings, Book 1</a><br />
<b>Published:</b> January 17, 2012 by Zondervan<br />
<a href="http://images.parable.com/content/preview/9780310728184.pdf" target="_blank">Excerpt</a> <b> |</b> <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Halflings-Heather-Burch/9780310728184/?a_aid=MsMs" target="_blank">Buy Now</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>Split.<br /><br />After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret---and the wings that come with.<br /><br />A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys' powers, as well as her role in a scientist's dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.</i></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><i>Questions.</i></span> I loved Halflings at the start. Mace really drew me in with his insight into what was happening to Nikki at the time. You know straight away that <i>Halflings</i> was going to be an emotional rollercoaster ride for all the characters. While it started out good, my patience started to wear thin as the story progressed. Nikki changed her mind constantly and asked a million questions along the way, though at the end I felt like we weren't really given enough answers. When a certain animal died, I didn't think I could finish the book because it seemed unnecessary and too cruel. Killing animals is not the way to win my heart.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mystery.</i></span> I liked all three of the boys each with their own unique personality. I would've like to have seen more of the softer side of Raven and the stronger side of Mace. Vine didn't get enough page time so it would've been nice to see more into his personality. I switched back and forth with enjoying <i>Halflings</i> and being frustrated with it. The times Nikki and Raven were together and whenever Nikki stood up for herself were the parts I loved. The mystery surrounding who Nikki is still intrigues me though I don't know that I need to read another book to find out the answer.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b4a7d6; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;"><i>Raven.</i></span> As it stands, I have mixed emotions about <i>Halflings</i> but I did still like it. The basic concept of the story seems interesting, it just needs to be made clearer what exactly it is. Raven was my favourite character and I hope Nikki and him get together as a couple. Mace was just too indecisive for my liking but maybe that's why him and Nikki suit each other. Either way, it looks like the next novel will definitely have some fireworks if Nikki can decide who she wants most.<br />
<br />
<b>Rating:</b> ★★★ Give it a go<br />
<br />
<b>Will I Read The Next Book?</b> Maybe. I'm still on the fence.<br />
<br />
<b>First Lines:</b> <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>Fangs sank into Nikki Youngblood’s leg, setting her skin on fire. A scream gurgled in her throat, but she willed herself past trees smeared by her jarred vision. Her jacket snagged on a branch. No, no, no . . . She jerked free, casting a glimpse backward at the gnarled faces behind her. </i></div>
</blockquote>
<b>Favourite Quote:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="background-color: #444444;">
<i>"You mean sometimes we glimpse the bigger picture?"</i><br />
<i>He nodded. "Exactly. It is in those moments our character is defined. What do we do with what we've seen? Who do we become when we realise our path encompasses so much more than we imagined?" (Chapter 13)</i></div>
</blockquote>
<b>Halflings Series</b><br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12466776-halflings" target="_blank">Halflings</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13050865-guardian" target="_blank">Guardian</a> (out September 2012)</li>
<li>Risen (out 2013)</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I received a galley of Halflings from Zondervan through <a href="http://netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a> for review. All
opinions expressed here are my own.</i></span>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-3507783066274504072012-01-16T08:00:00.000+10:002012-01-16T08:00:03.977+10:00A Year In Photos - Day 16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
MELBOURNE THEMED WEEK </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxDCnARNiw7AQkSHrHgXT1lbXHFXSEJZvCdpUq9uiq4cz0zzb6iAMuCublM89gnoj28IgKBQcN6vMJ-AiExyTRYegDtf0rSmd4B7ni5vciQGIPvqWLvMT6Mqp0IbBol6DmskbVZA2iAai/s1600/DSC_5277a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxDCnARNiw7AQkSHrHgXT1lbXHFXSEJZvCdpUq9uiq4cz0zzb6iAMuCublM89gnoj28IgKBQcN6vMJ-AiExyTRYegDtf0rSmd4B7ni5vciQGIPvqWLvMT6Mqp0IbBol6DmskbVZA2iAai/s640/DSC_5277a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
One of my favourite shots from when I visited Melbourne recently.</div>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8047631214074746831.post-21604627961425344482012-01-15T09:40:00.001+10:002012-01-15T09:40:33.259+10:00In My Mailbox (63)My first IMM in a month and I've finally bought some books that I've wanted to read for ages.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs83sJJ4sq2657TWAV4qHJ1n234Hu4dpHPPdFlSCaVou0QWx8RkHcA9X3d79ErkthqQfJBiaKWDag9CjfnIwthbIKQb47PLytOmjYvKgdiuPPjiR9mT1bhSfKmOe2vYEy0p9K41gPUofi0/s1600/IMM+15.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs83sJJ4sq2657TWAV4qHJ1n234Hu4dpHPPdFlSCaVou0QWx8RkHcA9X3d79ErkthqQfJBiaKWDag9CjfnIwthbIKQb47PLytOmjYvKgdiuPPjiR9mT1bhSfKmOe2vYEy0p9K41gPUofi0/s640/IMM+15.1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Bought:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11680417-silver-tongued-devil" target="_blank">Silver-Tongued Devil (Sabina Kane, Book 4)</a> by Jaye Wells<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10306821-between-shades-of-gray" target="_blank">Between Shades of Gray</a> by Ruta Sepetys<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10802210-across-the-universe" target="_blank">Across the Universe (Across the Universe, Book 1)</a> by Beth Revis<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11457525-switched" target="_blank">Switched (Trylle Trilogy, Book 1)</a> by Amanda Hocking<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9680718-half-blood" target="_blank">Half-Blood (Covenant, Book 1)</a> by Jennifer L. Armentrout<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10860047-the-night-circus" target="_blank">The Night Circus</a> by Erin Morgenstern<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLb3fl9r-1h_e8XkQC7wgqer4khYCANIE9aIebfAK0EVOkP7N-gM5ZZI1nq0YkIMIEh-L93pU05QQRoAUYuqdBCf8syKkV_9sulhjDw3ArZGw8hEZmFWAmohPf2rn4Agas72EP-CLufqQ/s1600/IMM+15.1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLb3fl9r-1h_e8XkQC7wgqer4khYCANIE9aIebfAK0EVOkP7N-gM5ZZI1nq0YkIMIEh-L93pU05QQRoAUYuqdBCf8syKkV_9sulhjDw3ArZGw8hEZmFWAmohPf2rn4Agas72EP-CLufqQ/s400/IMM+15.1b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>For Review:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11699323-freshman-year-other-unnatural-disasters" target="_blank">Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters</a> by Meredith Zeitlin<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12637490-goddess-interrupted" target="_blank">Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test, Book 2)</a> by Aimee Carter<br />
<br />
Thanks for stopping by and feel free to leave a link to your IMM! <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><i>In My Mailbox was started by Kristi over at <a href="http://www.thestorysiren.com/">The Story Siren</a>. Inspired by Alea of <a href="http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/">Pop Culture Junkie</a>.</i></span></span>Mandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13468834104639744789noreply@blogger.com7